Cost of Living: St. Petersburg, FL vs North Charleston, SC (2026)

St. Petersburg

Florida
106
VS

North Charleston

South Carolina
91

St. Petersburg is 16% more expensive than North Charleston.

$1,542/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↓ 12%
$73,118/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$62,789/yr ↓ 14%
$331,500 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$267,700 ↓ 19%
$1,435/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,312/mo ↓ 9%
260,646
Population
117,460

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
6.4%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

25.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Petersburg, FL and North Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $178/month cheaper in North Charleston, saving renters about $2,136/year.

Median household income is $10,329/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Petersburg is $331,500 compared to $267,700 in North Charleston.

Florida has no state income tax, giving St. Petersburg residents a significant tax advantage over South Carolina's 6.4% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Petersburg vs North Charleston — common questions

Is St. Petersburg or North Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, North Charleston is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Petersburg and North Charleston?
Median rent in St. Petersburg is $1,542/month and in North Charleston it's $1,364/month — a difference of $178/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Petersburg or North Charleston?
Median household income is $73,118 in St. Petersburg and $62,789 in North Charleston. Median household income is $10,329/year higher in St. Petersburg.
How do taxes compare between Florida and South Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Petersburg or North Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,542/mo, while North Charleston has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Petersburg details → View North Charleston details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Petersburg and North Charleston

St. Petersburg vs. Lubbock St. Petersburg vs. Laredo St. Petersburg vs. Fort Wayne St. Petersburg vs. Irving St. Petersburg vs. Toledo St. Petersburg vs. Chesapeake North Charleston vs. Cambridge North Charleston vs. Clearwater North Charleston vs. Richardson North Charleston vs. Lakeland North Charleston vs. Billings North Charleston vs. The Woodlands